T-Type

For other uses, see T-type (disambiguation).

T-Type

Product type	Performance cars
Owner	General Motors
Produced by	General Motors
Introduced	1981
Discontinued	1990 (1990)
Related brands	GS
Markets	U.S.

T-Type was the performance marker used on Buick automobiles during the 1980s. Marketed during a hiatus of the Gran Sport branding, the T-Type vehicles were the sportiest versions of each Buick model line, in line with Super Sport-branded Chevrolet vehicles. In addition to handling and performance upgrades, T-Type vehicles were distinguished by exterior styling, with chrome trim reduced or blacked out altogether and some models featuring two-tone paintwork; all vehicles were fitted with aluminum wheels.

The first T-Type Buick was the 1981 Riviera, with Buick also offering T-Type versions of nearly its entire line, including the Century, Electra, LeSabre, Regal, Skylark, Somerset, and Skyhawk (excluding only the full-size Estate station wagon and the Reatta sports car).

At the end of the 1980s, Buick shifted away from performance-oriented vehicles across its entire line, though the Gran Sport/GS branding would return to use for the Buick Regal (from 1989 to the present day).

History

The first model marketed with the T-Type (T=Touring) option package was the 1981 Buick Riviera, as Buick renamed its S-Type option package with sportier trim, suspension, and its turbocharged V6 engine. In 1983, multiple models followed; along with the Regal (which also shared its 3.8L turbocharged V6 with the Riviera), Buick introduced T-Type versions of its newest models: the Century, Skylark, and Skyhawk.

The Regal T-Type brought the return of the Regal Grand National, sharing its turbocharged powertrain and exterior trim (though the Grand National was now painted completely black); both form the basis of the 1987 Buick GNX (as of current production, the fastest-accelerating Buick ever produced). In 1984, the reputation of turbocharged Buicks grew when a Grand National defeated a Corvette in a quarter-mile run featuring GM vehicles, thus creating a rare instance of "the fastest American car" that was not made by Chevrolet (despite its 3.8L V6 vs. the 5.7L V8 of the Corvette).

During the 1980s, several additional models received the T-Type package. Following its downsizing, the Electra T-Type was introduced for 1985 (including the rare Electra T-Type coupe). For 1986, the Somerset T-Type replaced the Skylark T-Type coupe; the first Skylark T-Type sedan was introduced for 1987. For 1987, the LeSabre T-Type replaced the LeSabre Grand National.

At the end of the 1980s, Buick began to phase the T-Type options out of its product lines. In 1987, the stand-alone T-Type option package was dropped in favor of several free-standing options featuring the upgraded performance features, exterior, and interior trim separately.

T-Type interiors typically featured front bucket seats, with center console-mounted shifter, though 1981-1985 Rivieras featured bucket seats, a small console and column shifter. T-Type Electras and Centurys also retained a column shifter with bucket seats and a center console (as a front bench seat was technically standard). The T-Type logo consisted of a large red letter "T", and the word "Type" in small black or white letters. The emblems were only placed on the fenders and on some later models (1986) a grille emblem was used. The single T was only used on the turbo Regals and only in 1987.

T-Type models

A 1986 Regal T-Type

Riviera T-Type

For 1981, Buick introduced the Riviera T-Type, replacing the S-Type from 1979-1980. Featuring the turbocharged 3.8L V6 from the Regal, the T-Type was intended as a sportier version of the model line, fitted with sportier front seats, Grand Touring suspension, aluminum wheels, and black exterior trim (including side mirrors). For 1984, the T-Type dropped its optional V8 engine, offering only the turbocharged V6; the facelift added additional black trim.

For 1986, the T-Type became an option for the seventh-generation Riviera. Though the turbocharged V6 was dropped, the new option again featured a Gran Touring suspension, 15-inch aluminum wheels, and upgraded seat and interior trim. For 1987, a two-tone exterior (with a silver lower body) was made standard. For 1988, the Buick-designed 3800 V6 became the standard engine for the model line. After the 1988 model year, the T-Type option was dropped from the Riviera (alongside its internal touchscreen option).

Century T-Type

The 1983-1986 Century T-Type was introduced as a cosmetic and performance option package for the two-door and four-door Century. Largely bridging the gap between the Chevrolet Celebrity Eurosport and the Pontiac 6000STE, the Century T-Type was styled with a dechromed roofline and rear fascia, the deletion of the hood ornament, T-Type badging, and 15-inch aluminum wheels. The interior was upgraded with standard bucket seats and a center console (a column shifter remained standard); upgraded leather seats were offered as an option. For 1983, the 3.0L V6 was standard, with the 3.8L V6 becoming the standard engine for the T-Type option; the model was fitted with upgraded suspension.

For 1986, the Century T-Type option was offered for the four-door, as the two-door was offered as the Century Gran Sport. While fitted with the same suspension and powertrain as the T-Type, the Grand Sport was completely devoid of brightwork, with the exception of badging and its aluminum 15-inch wheels.

Following a combined sales of 17,406 units for the design, Buick dropped the Century T-Type for 1987.

Electra T-Type

The 1985-1990 Electra T-Type was marketed as a sportier upgrade trim of the Buick Electra, slotted beside the flagship Park Avenue. Initially paired with the 3.8L V6 (which became the sole engine offering for 1986), the Electra T-Type traded the Dynaride suspension for a firmer-riding Gran Touring suspension. Along with larger 15-inch aluminum wheels, the T-Type was distinguished by the deletion of lower chrome trim (with the exception of the bumpers and body moldings); the front and rear turn signals were changed in color to amber.

Initially offered for both the Electra two-door and four-door, the T-Type option became exclusive to the four-door from 1986 onward.

Through its production, the Electra T-Type saw few major changes, largely facing internal competition following the introduction from the Oldsmobile Touring Sedan and the Buick Park Avenue Ultra. Following the 1990 retirement of the sixth-generation Electra, Buick retired the T-Type line altogether.

LeSabre T-Type

The 1987-1989 LeSabre T-Type was introduced as sports trim option package, replacing the 1986 LeSabre Grand National (designed to homologate the model line for NASCAR racing). While sharing the stock 3.8L V6 with other LeSabres (a turbocharged version in development was cancelled), the LeSabre T-Type was fitted with upgraded suspension (more aggressive than the Pontiac Bonneville SSE), revised gearing (to improve acceleration and top speed), and larger wheels and tires (5-spoke 15-inch alloy wheels, distinguished by black centers). In line with the Century Gran Sport, the LeSabre T-Type was devoid of chrome trim (with the exception of its Buick badging and its wheels); as with the Electra T-Type, the rear turn signals were amber in color.

Following the 1989 model year, the T-Type was dropped from the LeSabre model line.

Regal T-Type

For 1983, Buick introduced the Regal T-Type, renaming the turbocharged Regal Sports Coupe sold from 1978-1982. In contrast to the standard/Limited-trim Regal, the T-Type was fitted with a three-spoke sport-steering wheel, sport bucket seats, and upgraded suspension and steering. As with the Century T-Type, the Regal T-Type was styled with blackout trim (with the exception of the bumpers), silver alloy wheels, and model-specific badging.

For 1987, the T-Type was repackaged, becoming the Y56 "T" option package, featuring the upgraded suspension and steering separate from the turbocharged engine; the blackout trim became a stand-alone WO2 option for any Regal. While the T option could be combined with the turbo engine, few were sold; as a running change, the combination became denoted as the lightweight WE4 "Turbo T" option. Featuring aluminum bumpers and rear brakes, the Turbo T is the lightest-weight turbocharged Regal; though slower than the GNX, the vehicle can rival the Grand National in acceleration.

As the Regal moved to the W-body platform for 1988, Buick retired the T-Type option from the model line.

Skylark T-Type

The 1983-1984 Skylark T-Type replaced the Skylark Sport, offered as an option package for the two-door sedan. Largely a Buick counterpart to the Chevrolet Citation X-11 (which used the same GM X-body platform), the Skylark T-Type was fitted with a 2.8L V6, firmer suspension, numerically-higher gearing, and wider 14-inch wheels. Though adopting the same grille design of the standard Skylark, the Skylark T-Type blacked it out (along with the headlight surrounds); the taillamps were specific to the option package. While carrying over the lower front spoiler from the Sport, the T-Type was fitted with body-color bumpers and blacked-out window trim. The interior was upgraded over the Custom/Limited with front bucket seats, sportier trim, and a three-spoke steering wheel.

The Skylark T-Type was dropped for 1985 as the model line became solely a four-door sedan; the newly introduced Somerset coupe adopted the T-Type option from the Skylark. While also offering a blacked-out exterior appearance, the option package focused primarily on handling upgrades. For 1987, the Skylark T-Type returned; a redesign made it the four-door counterpart of the Somerset.

For the 1988 model year, the Skylark/Somerset T-Type was retired, with the coupe reverting to the Skylark nameplate.

Skyhawk T-Type

For 1983, Buick introduced the Skyhawk T-Type. Along with serving as the sportiest variant, the T-Type served as the flagship trim for the two-door coupe, offering the highest feature content. Though the Skyhawk did not feature a traditional grille between the headlamps, its lower grille opening below the bumper was blacked out (along with the headlamp openings) and featured amber front turn signals; in line with its Skylark counterpart, the Skyhawk T-Type was styled with a two-tone exterior. The T-Type was offered with a 1.8L inline-4; for 1984, a turbocharged version of the engine became an option (unavailable with a 5-speed manual transmission).

For 1986, the Skyhawk T-Type underwent a slight facelift, adopting concealed headlamps. The T-Type also became the first Skyhawk available with the 3-door hatchback bodystyle (offered by Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac since 1982). For 1987 (in line with the Regal), the T-Type trim was repackaged into several stand-alone options; while the appearance option lost its two-tone paint, turbocharged cars were now fitted with 14-inch wheels. For 1988, Buick dropped the T-Type Skyhawk entirely, replacing it with the SE-trim coupe; it retained the Gran Touring suspension, 14-inch wheels, and the concealed headlamps of the previous T-Type (though the 1.8L engine was dropped entirely).

Legacy

Buick ended the T-Type line following the retirement of the 1990 Electra (the final year of the nameplate). The retirement of the T-Type stemmed from several factors. While demand for performance-oriented cars remained in place, the sales of several Buick model lines had collapsed, leading to their discontinuation. Buick would exit the subcompact segment entirely at the decade, leading to the demise of the Skyhawk T-Type. The Regal T-Type was retired after 1987, following the ground-up redesign of the model line (and its change of market segments). While receiving critical praise, the LeSabre T-Type saw limited sales, coinciding with its full-size two-door configuration; at the end of the 1980s, Buick began to shift its focus with the Electra on the upgraded Park Avenue Ultra trim.

Subsequently, while Buick retained the use of Gran Sport moniker (for the Regal and Skylark; the former GS trim currently remains with Buick in China, the latter ended in 1997), the brand has not again developed a comprehensive option package as a performance sub-brand (in the line of Super Sport Chevrolets). From 2008 to 2011, the Buick Super name was revived as a flagship trim, bringing a V8 engine to the Buick LaCrosse and Buick Lucerne sedans; while higher-performance, the Super trim was not as visually distinctive as the 1980s T-Types.

In 2011, turbocharged engines returned to Buick for the Regal (Opel Insignia A) in two versions. Along with the all-wheel drive GS, the front-wheel drive CXL Turbo brought the return of the "T" badge (used for 1987). The 2016 Buick Cascada (Opel Cascada) became the first Buick offered exclusively with turbocharged engines. The 2018-2020 Buick Regal TourX (Opel Insignia B Country Tourer) station wagon is the first Buick to use the T nameplate officially for Tour(ing).